DESCRIPTION

The scene vividly depicts the myth of Eden. The illustration of the Garden of Eden shows Adam and Eve, the Tree of Knowledge and the Tree of Life, and an angel before the Fall. Eve, which represents the feminine principle, looks to the angel, showing that our subconscious is in touch with our higher self when we turn our attention in that direction. The subconscious is what receives the inspiration from the higher self. This inspiration gets transmitted to us through dreams, meditations, revelatory moments. The Adam, which represents the masculine principle, looks to Eve, which indicates that we must apply our will and discipline, focusing our attention on the subconscious by actively turning inwards. Behind Adam is the Tree of Life, and its leaves are 12 flames which link it to the 12 signs of the zodiac and behind Eve is the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. The fruits of this Tree of Knowledge, which symbolize the senses through which we perceive the world of duality, are assigned to the feminine because our senses are purely receptive. Our senses are what allow us to experience both the pains and the pleasures of life. When the woman, or our subconscious, is listening to the guidance of the angel, she’s not swayed by the temptations of the serpent, and they remain in the garden of joy and bliss.

Between Adam and Eve, there is a cloud, representing Gemini as an air sign. Although Waite suggests the scene takes place before Eve’s fateful bite of the apple, a sense of heightened tension permeates the image. Turning our attention away from our higher guidance and getting hijacked by the lower instincts of our animal nature, leads to suffering. Interestingly, the expulsion scene mentioned in the Bible includes cherubim and a flaming sword, not an angel with flaming hair. The great-winged figure with arms extended and pouring down influences is Raphael. The angel acts as a Christianized symbol of the Eros cherub who once shot his arrows from the zenith and presides over the making of fateful choices. The key lesson is to keep our subconscious attuned to our higher self by actively turning our attention inwards through meditation and dream analysis. The sun, which symbolizes the light of Kether through which we draw our life energy, rises above Raphael. The mountain represents Malkuth, the earthly realm where humans dwell and engage in the great work of self-actualization.

The Lovers represent childlike innocence, curiosity, and playfulness. Youth is characterized by an open-minded and multifaceted nature. The key theme of the Lovers is to find synergy in forming a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. The Lovers also show up in our capacity to inspire and motivate others. If we ever need help in establishing relationship boundaries and getting clear on what is working and what isn’t working, then we can call on the Lovers. The Lovers manifest as power couples like Isis and Osiris, Antony and Cleopatra, Adam and Eve, or King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. They can co-create a great amount together, but their love must be stronger than the forces of separation and they must transcend duality while harnessing polarity. Example careers might include being a relationship counselor, project manager, or a skilled communicator.